CFP-support adaptation of NGO-run GBV Shelters to safely operate in the context of COVID to continue to provide GBV services to survivors and other vulnerable women for UN WOMEN

Background

CFP letter for Responsible Parties

UNWOMEN plans to engage a (Responsible Parties) as defined in accordance with these documents. UN-WOMEN now invite sealed proposals from qualified proponents for providing the requirements as defined in the UN-WOMEN Terms of Reference.

Proposals must be received by UNWOMEN at the address specified not later than (time) ____11.59 PM_ on 30th July 2020.

The budget range for this proposal should be between USD 150,000 and USD 170,000

This UN-Women Call for Proposals consists of Two sections:

Section 1 

a. CFP letter for Responsible Parties

b. Proposal data sheet for Responsible Parties

c. UN Women Terms of Reference

Annex 1 Mandatory requirements/pre-qualification criteria

Section 2

a. Instructions to proponents

         Annex 2 Template for proposal submission

         Annex 3 Format of resume for proposed staff

         Annex 4 Capacity Assessment minimum Documents

Interested proponents may obtain further information by contacting this email address:  bco.procurement@unwomen.org 

Proposal data sheet for Responsible Parties

 

Requests for clarifications due: Date: 20th July 2020 Time: 11.59 PM (via e-mail)

UNWOMEN clarifications to proponents due and Pre-Bid Meeting: Date: 23rd   July 2020 Time: TBD

Proposal due: Date: 30th July 2020 Time: 11.59 PM

Planned award date: Date: 28th August 2020

Planned contract start-date / delivery date (on or before):  Date: 1st  September 2020

Addtional contact details 

Program official’s name:  Giulia Pelosi

Email: giulia.pelosi@unwomen.org

Telephone number: 02 9858593

Issue date: 14th July 2020

Duties and Responsibilities

Introduction 

Background/Context for required services/results

Bangladesh is experiencing an exponential rise in COVID cases. Like the rest of the world, the country is encountering challenges due to the country’s fragile health services, critical public services deficits and rising social tensions from the low-income population that cannot afford to be confined in their homes. Alarming socio-economic consequences due to continuous lock down are inevitable. Women’s labor, particularly in the ready-made garment sector have been at the center stage of Bangladesh’s socio-economic transformation in the last two decades. However, at least one-quarter of garment workers in Bangladesh have been fired or furloughed because of declining global orders amid the coronavirus crisis. In Bangladesh, 91% of women employed are working in the informal sector as domestic workers, micro vendors, micro entrepreneurs, agricultural workers, day labourer and others, and these women have seen their jobs evaporate. The Hijra transgender and other gender diverse community members, many of whom earn a living as sex workers and running small business, are badly affected by COVID-19 and are experiencing food shortages. Of the estimated 102,000 female sex workers, majority of those who have been provided with support are brothel based, leaving street-based sex workers mostly empty handed. Migrant women workers have also returned home with or without resources to serve and support their livelihoods. The returning women migrant workers are facing stigmatization by communities as they are often perceived to be carriers of disease. These vulnerable women need immediate assistance, access to referral services and diversified livelihoods, skills development and employment support services, their immediate recovery and social inclusion needs to be addressed. 

Beyond economic hardship, women’s organizations report that gender-based violence, which is already a serious problem in Bangladesh, is on the rise in households due to heightened tensions from loss of income, restricted mobility etc. exacerbating the already unequal gender power relations in the family.  According to the Needs Assessment Working Group survey on the anticipatory impact of COVID-19 in April, 49.2% of women, children and girls felt safety and security was an issue due to the lockdown and loss of livelihoods. On the other hand, the Rapid Gender Analysis showed that 33% of women do not know where to call for help if they experience violence. Furthermore, because of movement restrictions and closure of services such as domestic violence shelters out of COVID concerns, many women are not able to access support services or law enforcement agencies. Safety, security and access to justice services are also disrupted as government institutions are shifting resources to deal with the public health crisis.  

As one of its critical responses, UN Women Bangladesh is implementing a project titled, Women and Girls at the Center of COVID-19 Prevention. The Project aims to reduce the disproportionate gender-based risks and negative impact of COVID-19 on women, including those who are the most marginalized and in particularly vulnerable situations.

2. General Overview of services required/results  

Women facing domestic violence need access to services and safe shelter to escape the violence at home. There are also other vulnerable women, such as sex workers and migrant women, who also do not have shelter to keep them protected from violence on the streets and exposure to COVID-19. Many GBV survivors and destitute women also require means to economically sustain themselves.

UN Women Bangladesh is therefore opening a call for proposal to support adaptation of NGO-run GBV Shelters to safely operate in the context of COVID to continue to provide GBV services to survivors and other vulnerable women and provide them with the opportunity to build their economic resilience through economic empowerment activities.

UN Women Bangladesh is looking for NGOs that are running shelters for survivors of GBV and other vulnerable women, with solid experience providing integrated services for survivors, running livelihood training and economic empowerment programmes that aim to provide work and/or paid volunteer opportunities for women to generate income for themselves and families.

Cash for Work (C4W) offers skilled and unskilled volunteer opportunities in exchange for monetary stipends. The C4W opportunities can vary and include positions in education, training, outreach, protection referral, waste management and security. These opportunities should be made available for women who have sought refuge in the shelter and are in need of work, as they may have lost their livelihood due to the pandemic (e.g.: GBV survivors, female sex workers, domestic worker, migrant workers, abandoned women, women with disabilities, etc.). A C4W Programme requires strong partnerships with potential workplaces where women can be placed. These women could also be engaged in the shelter management and operations gradually to develop their self-management skills and sense of ownership on the shelter for sustainability.  A committee could be formed with women survivors to actively engaged in the shelter management.

The implementation of this CFP shall focus on providing integrated services and C4W opportunities for vulnerable women that have been impacted by COVID.  The Proponents should present a clear strategy to address challenges of responding to the urgent needs of survivors of violence amidst the COVID-19 crisis and implement the required interventions, within the project duration.

UN Women is seeking Proposals that will address the following challenges: 

(1) Social distancing – Existing shelters will need to ensure a safe distance of users and staff for COVID-19 prevention. How can existing facilities be modified to provide the needed shelter for vulnerable women and operate income generating activities while ensuring they do not put people at greater risk to contract the virus?

(2) Sustainability – With funding expected to be redirected to COVID-response, shelter and GBV services provided by NGOs face the risk of reduced external funding . Sustainability strategy may include Income-generating activities (IGA) for its clients but also to support the shelter’s sustainability.  IGA can include the production of essential goods, including products to stem the spread of COVID-19—such as masks, hand sanitizer, personal protective equipment (PPE), food production, etc. that could be sold and provide direct funds to the shelter. 

The proposal shall identify how the funding can be used to maximise opportunities to diversify fund source for shelter operations. The proposal should detail out how can the increased demand for PPE and other products related to COVID-19 prevention be maximized both for C4W opportunities for survivors in the shelter and for the income-generation and sustainability of the shelter.  

(3) Safe modalities to communicate to women about shelters and the services available to them and women to request for help – as mentioned above, currently at least 30% of women are not aware of where to seek help. Innovative solutions are needed to enable women who are less able to leave the house reach services. Proponents can learn from some promising practices on how shelters expand access points for women to learn about their services during a pandemic  and propose locally relevant solutions.

(4) Reintegration of women to society – shelters are a temporary solution for GBV survivors and other vulnerable women. Each survivor needs to be facilitated to find a more permanent solution and the shelters must have a strategy in place to support women leave the shelter. Proponent shall present how the funds will be used to develop and grow a C4W programme as part of a key strategy for women’s reintegration. 

The Proponent must clearly indicate in the proposal a GBV-Women’s Economic Empowerment Integrated Approach Strategy that will enable: (1) the integration of shelter services and economic empowerment activities (GBV services + Cash for Work Programme) and (2) address the challenges enumerated and discussed above; as well as (3) contribute to the required results, further described below.

It is recommended that proponents can demonstrate their track record and expertise in providing comprehensive services to GBV survivors, including conducting trainings on skills needed for women to access C4W opportunities, while proposing innovative solutions to address challenges in reaching vulnerable women aggravated by the pandemic.

Geographic Location: Proponents are expected to run already existing shelters in Dhaka.

1. Description of required services/results 

The Responsible Party will contribute to the following specific project result areas:

Outcome 1: Vulnerable women have safe access to shelters for quality psychosocial, legal and health services for GBV survivors and access to economic opportunities.

Output 1.1:  Essential services on GBV for VAW survivors and other vulnerable women to access life-saving information, resources, skills, and other shelter and support services, including COVID-safe women’s safe spaces and engagement in COVID-19 prevention activities are provided, expanded and made self sufficient

Indicators:

# of GBV survivors receiving psychosocial, legal, health support

# of GBV survivors reached with lifesaving information 

Output 1.2: Women using the shelter service are provided with income generating opportunities such as cash-for work for production of essential goods such as PPEs, food packages or other items in demand for COVID response, 

Indicators:     

# of women placed in C4W opportunities receiving stipends

# of women who received training on income generating skills and life skills

The Proponent will work hand-in-hand with UN Women to model an integrated safe space approach  that will build on the Proponents various expertise and track record—such as in GBV case management, individual/ group counselling, psychosocial support, reintegration, skills-building, etc.—and at the same time, mitigate the heightened risks from COVID-19 with additional services, namely:

• Livelihoods training

• Cash for work opportunities 

• Safety planning and risk reduction

The Responsible Party will conduct the following tasks and be responsible for the specific key deliverables outlined below:

Output 1.1: Strengthen the provision of life saving, quality services on GBV in order for VAW survivors and vulnerable women to access life-saving information, resources, skills, and other shelter and support services, including COVID-safe women’s safe spaces and engagement in COVID-19 prevention activities: 

1. Develop interventions for provision of GBV Services and effective response adapted to the challenges posed by COVID-19, while addressing the need for effective virus and violence prevention. This means having a clear plan to model an integrated safe space approach that will expand its current service offerings and reach more women who have become even more at-risk and isolated due to the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown. The  GBV-WEE integrated Approach Strategy, to be detailed out in the proposal, shall include reaching the more vulnerable women with: rescue, case management, individual/ group counselling, psychosocial support, reintegration, skills-building, women’s participation and leadership in awareness raising on COVID-19 prevention, livelihoods training, safety planning and risk reduction.

2. Provide strengthened quality GBV Services according to the GBV-WEE Integrated Approach Strategy to more women than currently being served. This involves  implementing innovative strategies to provide increased access to information and resources to vulnerable women and -survivors of violence who experience heightened challenges to reach out to government and/or NGO VAW service providers and access shelter services (ex: setting up help access desks in pharmacist, supermarkets, etc.). This also includes reaching the more vulnerable groups such as sex workers, migrant workers, women with disabilities, Dalits, etc. (Note: Specific targets of women to be reached can be set in collaboration with UN Women.)

3. Implement sustainability interventions aimed at diversifying the shelter’s source of funding and securing partnerships and/or opportunities for IGA/trainings of the shelter. 

4. Monitor the outcomes and document the learning from the process of the development, implementation, and evaluation of the GBV-WEE Integrated Approach Strategy amidst the COVID 19- crisis, with recommendations for replication by other shelters.

Key Deliverables for Output 1.1:

1. Implementation of GBV- WEE Integrated Approach Strategy, serving an agreed target number of women that receive the above-mentioned integrated services (to be detailed out in the CFP results framework)

2. Regular monthly monitoring reports on progress achieved in reaching more vulnerable women during the pandemic: number of women survivors of violence who accessed / sought help by type of service (health, legal, etc.), improved health/psycho-social well-being, client satisfaction with services accessed, women’s increased participation in COVID-19 response and prevention, as well as number of vulnerable population reached with COVID-19 prevention awareness raising.

3. Documenting the learning from the process of the development and implementation of the GBV- WEE Integrated Approach Strategy, with recommendations for replication by other shelters.

Output 1.2.

Implement cash-for-work opportunities for women such as the production of essential goods, including products to stem the spread of COVID-19—to enable VAW survivors and other vulnerable women secure a basic income and tools for empowerment alongside the essential protection services and conduct the following activities:

1. Conduct rapid assessment of needs and opportunities to develop and/or expand cash-for-work opportunities as part of the shelter’s service offerings (i.e., this includes assessment of demands, existing establishments producing PPEs/involved in food production experiencing increased labour needs)

2. Conduct trainings based on skills needed to place women in C4W opportunities; Ex:  as part of COVID-19 prevention, i.e., producing masks, hand sanitizer, personal protective equipment (PPE), food production, etc., or other community service or mobilisation tasks identified by stakeholders

3. Implement a pilot cash-for-work programme for at least 200 vulnerable women to provide the women with an income 

4. Conduct training on life skills (leadership, GBV information, basic financial literacy and digital literacy   etc.).

5. Monitor the outcomes and document the learning from the process of the development, implementation, and evaluation of the C4W Programming, with recommendations for replication by other shelters.

Key Deliverables for Output 1.2:

1. Implementation of C4W Programme pilot, involving at least 200 vulnerable women that receive monthly stipend for various work performed in relation to COVID-19 prevention and/or production of hand sanitizers, PPE, etc.

2. Implementation of skills development component (related to livelihood and life skills) for 200 women from diversified vulnerable groups are receiving Cash for Work in the shelter. 

3. Regular monthly monitoring reports on progress achieved in the C4W Project: including number of vulnerable women placed in C4W opportunities, stipends received, partnerships developed, as well as measurable improvements in psychosocial well-being of women involved in the programme.

4. Documenting the learning from the process of the development and implementation of the C4W Project, with recommendations for replication by other shelters.

2. Timeframe:  Start date and end date for completion of required services/results 

The Project has the duration of 9 months and is expected to start in September 2020 until 30th May 2021.

3. Competencies: 

a. Technical/functional competencies required

- Proposals can only be submitted by non-governmental organizations registered in NGO Affairs Bureau in Bangladesh. Organizations can submit proposal as individual entity in partnership with other NGOs or as a consortium. For the consortium/Group of NGOs there must be a lead agency and all participating agencies must comply with eligibility criteria. The Lead agency will submit the proposal on behalf of the consortium;

- The  lead organization should have in operation for at least 10 years, with 5 years relevant experience to work on violence against women and girls, combat gender inequality, women’s economic empowerment with particular experience on income generating activities with diverse and vulnerable women groups and shall suggest the composition of a project team with expertise GBV response;

- The organization should demonstrate that it is currently running shelters for vulnerable women;

- The organization should have expertise or be in partnership with other organizations that have the expertise of providing comprehensive support and services for GBV survivors, including health, psychosocial, legal support;

- The organisation should be familiar with the IASC Gender Based Violence guidelines:

- Demonstrated experiences in formulating result-oriented programme, monitoring programme based on indicators and quality reporting:

- Proven organizational experiences in building Strategic Partnerships that promote sustainability with women led organisations, CSOs, government agencies and other non-traditional partners:

- Producing and delivering of high-quality reports/publications on a tight schedule and in coordination with and input from multiple partners, stakeholders and collaborators:

- The organization should have appropriate policies and procedures to run essential functions of an organizations, Financial management, including appropriate arrangements for budgeting, expenditure control and accounting:

- The organization should prove to have the following additional attributes: Political independence, reputational credibility and a commitment to gender equality; resilience, including ability to withstand staff turnover and other unforeseen development; and

- The organization should already run a shelter in Dhaka and surrounding urban areas.

b. Other competencies, which while not required, can be an asset for the performance of services

- Previous work experience with UN Agencies, governments and other national and international institutions with solid experience on policy advocacy is considered an asset; and 

- Preference is given to women- led organizations.

Competencies

Annex 1

Mandatory requirements/pre-qualification criteria

[To be completed by proponents and returned with their proposal]

Call for proposal

Description of Services:

CFP No.

Proponents are requested to complete this form and return it as part of their submission. Proponents will receive a pass/fail rating on this section. To be considered, proponents must meet all the mandatory criteria described below. All questions should be answered on this form or an exact duplicate thereof. UN WOMEN reserves the right to verify any information contained in proponent’s response or to request additional information after the proposal is received. Incomplete or inadequate responses, lack of response or misrepresentation in responding to any questions will result in disqualification

Mandatory requirements/pre-qualification criteria	Proponent’s response
1.1 Confirm that the services being requested are part of the key services that the proponent has been performing as an organization. This must be supported by a list of at least two customer references for which similar service is currently or has been provided by the proponent.	Reference #1: Reference #2:
1.2 Confirm proponent is duly registered or has the legal basis/mandate as an organization	Yes/No
1.3 Confirm proponent as an organization has been in operation for at least five (5) years	Yes/No
1.4 Confirm proponent has a permanent office within the location area.	Yes/No
1.5 Proponent must agree to a site visit at a customer location in the location or area with a similar scope of work as the one described in this CFP.	Yes/No
1.6   Confirm that proponent has not been the subject of a finding of fraud or any other relevant misconduct following an investigation conducted by UN Women or another United Nations entity.  The Proponent must indicate if it is currently under investigation for fraud or any other relevant misconduct by UN Women or another United Nations entity and provide details of any such investigation	Yes/No
1.7     Confirm that proponent has not been the subject of any investigations and/or has not been charged for any misconduct related to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)
1.8    Confirm that proponent has not been placed on any relevant sanctions list including as a minimum the Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List(s), United Nations Global Market Place Vendor ineligibility and the EU consolidated Sanction list	Yes/No

In exceptional circumstances three (3) years of history registration may be accepted and it must be fully justified.

Secretary General’s Bulletin, 9 October 2003 on “Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” (ST/SGB/2003/13), and United Nations Protocol on allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse involving Partners

 

Required Skills and Experience

Capacity Assessment minimum Documents

Governance, Management and Technical

Document	Mandatory / Optional
Legal registration	Mandatory
Rules of Governance / Statues of the organization	Mandatory
Organigram of the organization	Mandatory
List of Key management	Mandatory
CVs of Key Staff proposed for the engagement with UN Women	Mandatory
Anti-Fraud Policy Framework which is consistent with UN women’s one or adoption of UN Women anti-fraud policy	Mandatory
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) policy consistent with the UN SEA bulletin ST/SGB/2003/13   Where RP has adopted UN Women SEA Protocol, RP has to ensure to have developed a SEA policy;	Mandatory

 

Administration and Finance

 

Document	Mandatory / Optional
Administrative and Financial Rules of the organization	Mandatory
Internal Control Framework	Mandatory
Audited Statements of last 3 years	Mandatory
List of Banks	Mandatory
Name of External Auditors

 

Procurement

 

Document	Mandatory / Optional
Procurement Policy/Manual	Mandatory
Templates of the solicitation documents for procurement of goods/services, e.g. Request for Quotation (FRQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) etc.	Mandatory
List of main suppliers / vendors and copy of their contract(s) including evidence of their selection processes

Client Relationship

 

Document	Mandatory / Optional
List of main clients / donors	Mandatory
Two references	Mandatory
Past reports to clients / donors for last 3 years

 

 

NB: all bidders are requested to show your expression of Interest through bco.procurement@unwomen.org. upon receipt of your interest, all document or relevant process related documents shall be shared with vendors or bidders. 

All proposals should be sent by email to the following secure email address: bco.procurement@unwomen.org